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Q. Louise Lopez described a situation that her father, Florentino Reyes, was facing in renewing his driver’s license.

“He’s a good driver who knows the traffic laws and never has been given a traffic ticket in more than 50 years of driving,” the Beaumont resident said of her 73-year-old father. “But he has trouble reading because he had to drop out of school as a child to go to work. He’s always been able to squeak by when he had to take written tests. But now that he’s older, he’s concerned it will be difficult to pass the written exam to renew his license (by Tuesday when an extension on the current license expires).”

Lopez said her father was wondering if the California Department of Motor Vehicles offers such an exam in which the questions are read to the applicant rather than presented in written form.

A. “Mr. Reyes can take the driver license renewal written exam orally,” said DMV public information officer Jaime Garza.

For license renewal applicants with special needs such as those of Reyes, the DMV offers alternative methods to its typical written exam in English. The exam can be conducted in a foreign language or in American Sign Language, or using an audio method in which the applicant listens to a cassette tape of the exam questions. The DMV also offers a person-to-person option in which an examiner presents the exam questions to the applicant.

“It is advisable for an individual with special needs, such as Mr. Reyes, to discuss those needs with the local driver license supervisor (at a DMV field office) to allow him or her to better assist the applicant,” Garza added. “And to allow sufficient time for testing, the DMV will not be administering written or audio exams after 4:30 p.m.”

Garza also recommended Reyes schedule an appointment at the DMV for his renewal. It can be scheduled online at dmv.ca.gov or by phoning DMV customer service at 800-777-0133.

“It always saves time at the DMV if you have an appointment,” Reyes said.

Q. James Taylor said he donated a vehicle to a charity organization.

“My question,” said the Riverside resident, “is do I have to contact the DMV and fill out paperwork just as I would do if I sold a car to a private party?”

A. Yes, paperwork is involved when a vehicle is donated. Anytime a vehicle is sold, traded in, donated or gifted, a notice of release of liability should be completed within five days of the transaction, according to an “Ask the DMV” column on motorist issues.

The form (REG 138) can be accessed and completed online at dmv.ca.gov. Or once completed, it can be mailed to the DMV, Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability, PO Box 942859, Sacramento, CA 94259-0001.

Q. Is there a new law governing motorists who are passing bicyclists in tight quarters?

A. That new law (Assembly Bill 1371) takes effect in less than a month, on Sept. 14. Known as the Three Feet for Safety Act, the law will require a motorist passing a bicycle traveling in the same direction to pass with no less than three feet between any part of the vehicle and any part of the bicycle or driver. When 3 feet is not possible, the vehicle must slow to a reasonable and prudent speed, then pass only when no danger exists for the bicyclist. Failing to do so can incur a fine, whether or not a collision occurs.

Confused about state or local traffic laws? Send questions and concerns, with your name, email address, phone number and city of residence, to ontheroad@pe.com. Or phone 951-368-9670.

As far as the United States Environmental Protection Agency is concerned, rolling coal, also called rollin’ coal, the act of modifying a diesel vehicle or pickup truck to spew black smoke or soot, is illegal.

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